Charges for extra seats on school transport in East Renfrewshire are planned to be removed starting in the 2025/26 school year. This change is being made because not all school transport vehicles meet accessibility laws.

The council had been charging for these "privilege transport" seats, which are for students who don't qualify for free school transport but fill empty spots. Last year, these charges brought in nearly £17,500. The number of these extra seats has gone down recently, from 52 in 2022/23 to 39 in 2024/25.

The decision to remove the charges is linked to accessibility regulations for public service vehicles. These rules require buses and coaches carrying more than 22 passengers to be accessible. While there are some exceptions for exclusive home-to-school transport, these don't apply if any passenger pays a fare. Since those with privilege seats pay, all transport providers would need to meet the accessibility standards for every vehicle.

Discussions with the transport partner, SPT, revealed that not all providers can fully comply with these accessibility rules. Because the council cannot guarantee that all services will be accessible at all times, they cannot continue charging for these seats. Charging only for accessible services would create unfairness, with some parents paying for the same service others receive for free, and would also create extra work for the council.

Instead of a ballot system for allocating these extra seats, a new method based on distance from the school will be used. All applications received by the deadline will be ranked by how far away the student lives within the school's area. This will help decide who gets the available seats, while also making sure there are enough spots for students who might move into the area later in the school year.

Original article (spt)

Actionable Information: There is no actionable information for a normal person to do right now. The article describes a future change in policy for East Renfrewshire.

Educational Depth: The article provides some educational depth by explaining the reasons behind the policy change, specifically the link between charging for "privilege transport" seats and accessibility regulations for public service vehicles. It clarifies that if any passenger pays a fare, all vehicles used must meet accessibility standards, which is not currently feasible for all providers. It also explains the new allocation method for these seats.

Personal Relevance: The article is personally relevant to parents and guardians in East Renfrewshire who use or might consider using school transport for students who don't qualify for free transport. It directly impacts their potential costs and the process for securing these seats.

Public Service Function: The article serves a public service function by informing residents of East Renfrewshire about an upcoming change in council policy regarding school transport. It explains the rationale behind the change, which is important for transparency.

Practicality of Advice: The article does not offer advice or steps for individuals to take. It is purely informative about a council decision.

Long-Term Impact: The long-term impact is a change in how parents in East Renfrewshire access and pay for non-essential school transport seats, with a focus on accessibility and a new allocation system.

Emotional or Psychological Impact: The article is unlikely to have a significant emotional or psychological impact beyond informing parents about a change that may affect their family's transportation plans. It is factual and neutral in tone.

Clickbait or Ad-Driven Words: The article does not use clickbait or ad-driven words. It is a straightforward report on a policy change.

Missed Chances to Teach or Guide: The article missed a chance to provide more practical guidance for parents in East Renfrewshire. For example, it could have included information on when applications for the new distance-based system will open, where to find the application forms, or who to contact for further clarification. A normal person could find better information by checking the official East Renfrewshire Council website or contacting their education department directly for details on the application process for the 2025/26 school year.

The text uses the phrase "privilege transport" to describe the extra seats. This word choice suggests that having these seats is a special benefit or advantage, rather than simply an option for students who don't qualify for free transport. It frames the seats as a luxury, which might subtly influence how readers view the decision to remove charges.

The text states, "Because the council cannot guarantee that all services will be accessible at all times, they cannot continue charging for these seats." This phrasing presents the council's inability to guarantee accessibility as the sole reason for removing charges. It hides the fact that the council is also being forced to comply with accessibility laws, which is the primary driver of the change.

The text explains that charging only for accessible services would "create unfairness, with some parents paying for the same service others receive for free." This highlights a potential negative outcome of a different policy. It focuses on the perceived unfairness to parents who would pay, while not dwelling on the potential benefits or reasons why some parents might be willing to pay for accessible transport.

The text mentions that the number of extra seats has gone down, from 52 to 39. This fact is presented without further explanation. It could imply a declining demand or a previous issue with the system, but without more context, it might be used to subtly suggest the system was already faltering.

The text uses passive voice when it says, "Charges for extra seats on school transport in East Renfrewshire are planned to be removed." This construction hides who is making the plan. It is the council, but the passive voice makes it sound like an event that is just happening, rather than a decision made by a specific group.

The text conveys a sense of fairness and responsibility as the primary emotions guiding the message. The removal of charges for extra seats on school transport is presented as a necessary step to ensure fairness and comply with accessibility laws. This is evident when the text states, "Charging only for accessible services would create unfairness, with some parents paying for the same service others receive for free." This highlights a concern for equitable treatment, aiming to prevent a situation where some families are disadvantaged due to accessibility issues they cannot control. The emotion of fairness is moderately strong, serving to justify the council's decision and build trust with the reader by showing a commitment to equal opportunity. It guides the reader's reaction by framing the change as a positive and just outcome, encouraging acceptance of the new policy.

A subtle emotion of concern or worry is also present, stemming from the acknowledgment that not all transport vehicles meet accessibility laws. This concern is expressed through the explanation that "not all providers can fully comply with these accessibility rules." This concern is not overtly dramatic but serves to explain the underlying reason for the policy change. It aims to cause a mild sense of worry or at least a recognition of a problem that needs addressing, thereby making the council's action seem proactive and responsible. This emotion helps guide the reader's reaction by building a case for the necessity of the change, showing that the council is aware of and acting upon potential issues.

The writer uses the concept of fairness to persuade by framing the removal of charges not as a loss of income for the council, but as a correction of an inequitable system. The phrase "create unfairness" is a strong indicator of this persuasive tactic, appealing to the reader's sense of justice. The text also employs a comparative approach by contrasting the current situation (potential unfairness) with the proposed solution (fairer allocation). This comparison aims to shift the reader's opinion by presenting the new policy as the more just and sensible option. The explanation of the new allocation method, based on distance, is presented as a more objective and therefore fairer system than a ballot, further reinforcing the theme of fairness and building trust in the council's decision-making process. The language used, such as "cannot guarantee that all services will be accessible at all times," is chosen to sound responsible and transparent, rather than evasive, thereby increasing the emotional impact by demonstrating accountability.